Dimension Acquires the Screen Rights to HOW TO DEFEAT YOUR OWN CLONE

Dimension has preemptively picked up the screen rights to Kyle Kurpinski and Terry D. Johnson futuristic comedy guidebook How to Defeat Your Own Clone: And Other Tips for Surviving the Biotech Revolution. Ed Ricourt will adapt the book and that the story will center on “a man trying to help humans dominate over clones after a biotech revolution.” I hope the move is just 100 minutes of a guy and his clone trying to convince the guy’s wife which one is the original and to shoot the other guy. Ricourt recently wrote Louis Leterrier’s magician heist flick Now You See Me starring Jesse Eisenberg.

Since humans are always fascinated by the idea of how the world will end, there are plenty of other apocalypse films in the pipeline. Two of the biggest –pocalypse films are Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of Daniel H. Wilson’s Robopocalypse and last summer Tim Burton came on board to adapt the Japanese board game Monsterpocalypse. After this year, as long as it’s not aliens, I’m good. Hit the jump for a synopsis of How to Defeat Your Own Clone and the press release.

Here’s the synopsis for Kyle Kurpinski and Terry D. Johnson’s How to Defeat Your Own Clone:

Send in the clones! On second thought, maybe not.
CAN IT READ MY MIND?
WILL IT BE EVIL?
HOW DO I STOP IT?
Find out the answers to these and other burning questions in this funny, informative, and ingenious book from two bioengineering experts who show you how to survive—and thrive—in a new age of truly weird science.
For decades, science fiction has been alerting us to the wonders and perils of our biotech future—from the prospects of gene therapy to the pitfalls of biological warfare. Now that future looms before us. Don’t panic! This book is all you need to prepare for the new world that awaits us, providing indispensable cautionary advice on topics such as

• bioenhancements: They’re not just for cyborgs anymore.
• DNA sequencing and fingerprinting: What’s scarier than the government having your DNA on file? Try having it posted on the Internet.
• human cloning:Just like you, only stronger, smarter, and more attractive. In other words: more dangerous.

Our future may be populated by designer babies, genetically enhanced supersoldiers, and one (or more!) of your genetic duplicates, but all is not lost. How to Defeat Your Own Clone is the ultimate survival guide to what lies ahead. Just remember the first rule of engagement: Don’t ever let your clone read this book!

Here’s the press release:

DIMENSION FILMS PREEMPTIVELY ACQUIRES HOW TO DEFEAT YOUR OWN CLONE

New York, NY, July 5, 2011 – Dimension Films announced today that it has acquired the rights to the popular futuristic comedy guidebook HOW TO DEFEAT YOUR OWN CLONE written by Kyle Kurpinski and Terry D. Johnson. Ed Ricourt who wrote the feature treatment is also set to adapt the script. Ricourt was part of the Marvel writing program, and his script NOW YOU SEE ME is currently in pre-production, starring Jesse Eisenberg and to be directed by Louis Letterier. There is no director on CLONE attached at this early stage. The announcement was made by Bob Weinstein, co-chairman of The Weinstein Company (TWC).

In the year 2013 the first human clone was created and within years clones were in most homes only to be taken advantage of by their human owners and treated as slaves. Following a revolution, civil war erupted between Mankind and their Clone creations who were fighting for their freedom. The Clones won. In this new world where Clones dominate, we follow Ethan on his quest to turn the tide of the war back in our favor against impossible odds. Clones may have the same DNA blueprint as humans, but they are younger, stronger, healthier and more evolved. Is Mankind prepared to outsmart and defeat their own clones?

HOW TO DEFEAT YOUR OWN CLONE is being produced by Ellen Goldsmith-Vein and Eric Robinson at The Gotham Group. Peter McHugh at The Gotham Group is Executive Producer. Overseeing for Dimension Films are SVP of Production, Matthew Stein and VP of Production and Creative Affairs, Matthew Signer.

“I’m excited to be working with Gotham and Ed Ricourt and feel this story has a fun and unique take on cloning that will be an entertaining movie for audiences,” said Bob Weinstein.

“When I first found this book, I knew it had amazing potential for an exciting and unique film, and Ed Ricourt has delivered upon that potential. As a producer, I couldn’t be more energized to be in business with Bob and my former colleagues at TWC/Dimension. This is the right home for this movie,” said Eric Robinson of The Gotham Group.

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